What the Pull Notice Program Does

California's Pull Notice Program is a monitoring service run by the California Department of Motor Vehicles that tracks changes to vehicle title records. When you enroll a vehicle, the DMV sends you written notice whenever someone files paperwork that changes the title — such as adding or removing a lienholder, transferring ownership, or recording a lien release.

The program exists primarily to protect lienholders (banks, credit unions, finance companies) who need to know when ready if a borrower tries to sell a financed vehicle or remove the lender's name from the title without permission. Vehicle owners can also enroll to monitor their own titles, though this is less common.

You receive notices by mail at the address you provide during enrollment. The DMV does not send email alerts or text messages through this program. Each notice arrives after the title change has already been recorded, so the program is a detection tool rather than a prevention tool.

Key Takeaways

  • Pull Notice enrollment sends you a mailed notice whenever someone files a title change on your vehicle, including transfers, lien additions, or lien releases.
  • Lienholders (lenders) typically enroll vehicles automatically when they finance a car purchase, and the notice goes to the lender's address on file.
  • Vehicle owners can request Pull Notice enrollment themselves by submitting Form REG 228 to the DMV with the vehicle's VIN and current registration information.
  • Notices arrive by mail only, after the title change has been recorded, so you cannot stop a transaction using this program — only learn about it after it happens.
  • The program costs nothing and remains active until you request cancellation or the vehicle is no longer registered in California.

Who Typically Uses Pull Notice Enrollment

Lienholders are the primary users of this program. When a bank or credit union finances a vehicle purchase, they automatically enroll that vehicle in Pull Notice so they receive notice if the borrower attempts to transfer the title or remove the lender's name without paying off the loan first. This protects the lender's security interest in the vehicle.

Vehicle owners sometimes enroll their own cars if they are concerned about title fraud or if they co-own a vehicle with someone they do not fully trust. This is less common but available to any registered owner.

Dealers and fleet operators may also use the program to track vehicles they have sold or are monitoring for other business reasons, though this is not the program's primary purpose.

How to Request Pull Notice Enrollment

To enroll a vehicle in Pull Notice, you must submit Form REG 228 (Pull Notice Request) to the California DMV. You can obtain this form from the DMV website, any DMV office, or by calling the DMV directly.

Complete the form with the following information: the vehicle identification number (VIN), the current registration number, the name and mailing address where notices should be sent, and your relationship to the vehicle (owner, lienholder, or other). If you are a lienholder, include your business name and the account or loan number associated with the vehicle.

Mail the completed form to the address listed on the form itself, or deliver it in person to a DMV office. Processing typically takes two to four weeks. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation, and notices will begin arriving whenever a title change is recorded.

What Title Changes Trigger a Notice

The DMV sends a Pull Notice whenever any of these transactions are recorded on the vehicle's title: a transfer of ownership to a new owner, the addition of a new lienholder, the release or removal of an existing lienholder, a change of ownership due to inheritance or court order, or a correction to the title document itself.

Not every DMV transaction triggers a notice. Routine registration renewals, address changes, or name corrections that do not affect the title itself do not generate a Pull Notice. The program monitors title changes only, not registration changes.

If someone attempts to transfer a financed vehicle without the lienholder's consent, the title transfer will be rejected by the DMV if the lienholder's name is still on the title. However, you will still receive a notice that the transfer was attempted, which alerts you to the attempted fraud.

How to Cancel Pull Notice Enrollment

To stop receiving Pull Notices, submit a written request to the DMV stating the vehicle's VIN, registration number, and the reason for cancellation. You can mail this request or deliver it in person to a DMV office. Include your name and the mailing address currently on file.

Enrollment also ends automatically if the vehicle is no longer registered in California, if the registration is cancelled, or if the vehicle is reported as salvaged or destroyed. If you sell the vehicle, the new owner's title will not include your Pull Notice enrollment — the new owner would need to request their own enrollment if they want one.

Processing a cancellation request typically takes two to four weeks. You will receive a confirmation once the cancellation is complete, and notices will stop arriving.

Common Situations and What Notices Mean

If you are a lienholder and receive a notice that a new lienholder has been added to the title, this typically means the borrower has refinanced the vehicle with a different lender. This is normal and does not require action unless the original loan is still active — in which case you should contact the borrower to clarify the situation.

If you receive a notice of a title transfer to a new owner, and you are the current lienholder, this is a red flag. It means someone attempted to sell the vehicle while your lien is still recorded. Contact the borrower when ready and consider reporting the attempted fraud to law enforcement if the transfer was unauthorized.

If you are a vehicle owner and receive a notice that a lienholder has been added without your knowledge, this indicates potential identity theft or fraud. Contact the DMV and the alleged lienholder when ready to report the unauthorized lien.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Pull Notice alerts by email or text instead of mail?

No. The Pull Notice Program sends notices by mail only to the address you provide during enrollment. The DMV does not offer email or text message alerts through this program. If you need faster notification of title changes, you may need to monitor your vehicle's title status through other means, such as checking your lienholder's online account if you are financing the vehicle.

What happens if someone transfers my car title without my permission?

If your name is on the title and someone attempts to transfer it without your signature, the DMV will reject the transfer because it requires the registered owner's signature. You will receive a Pull Notice that the transfer was attempted, which alerts you to the fraud attempt. Report this to the DMV and local law enforcement when ready.

Do I need Pull Notice if I have a loan on my vehicle?

Your lender typically enrolls the vehicle automatically when you finance it, so you do not need to request it yourself. You can contact your lender to confirm that Pull Notice is active on your loan. If you want to enroll a vehicle you own outright, you can request it, but it is not required.

How long does it take to receive a notice after a title change is filed?

Notices are mailed after the title change has been recorded, which typically takes one to two weeks after the transaction is filed with the DMV. The exact timing depends on DMV processing speed and mail delivery time to your address.

Can I use Pull Notice to prevent someone from selling my car?

No. Pull Notice is a notification tool only — it alerts you after a title change has been recorded, not before. It cannot stop a transaction. If you are concerned about unauthorized sale, you should work with your lender or consult an attorney about other legal protections, such as a security agreement or court order.